What do you do if you want to make a social impact while being your own boss?

By aligning your business goals with a social cause, you can contribute positively to society while also running your venture. This could involve creating products or services that address social or environmental issues, implementing sustainable practices in your operations, or donating a portion of your profits to charitable organizations. Regardless of the specific approach, the key is to integrate social impact into the core mission and operations of your business.

Please read 'The Good Ancestor' by Roman Kryznaric. His book transformed how I view my life's 'work'. It'll help you work out what you care about, and the impact you can have on the world.

You can reflect deeply on the social or environmental causes that resonate strongly with your personal beliefs and motivations.

Craft a purposeful business model integrating initiatives that directly address community needs through your offerings and expertise.

One of the best things I've ever done as a professional was recognise where I'm useful, and where I'm not useful. Sure, I could fly to an impoverished town somewhere and build a well or a toilet, but I'm no builder. I have a skillset. Film, photo, comms. I know how to do those things, so I offer those skills out for free with no promise or expectation or reward. Normally these skills are expensive to hire, and gifting them to worthwhile people/orgs can have a huge impact on what they do. Kill the ego and remember you're a little cog in a big, complicated machine. Oil and grease that cog, and offer it out for free. Outside of the good it'll do, the impact will make you feel amazing.

Cultivate relationships with aligned individuals and organizations to collaborate, learn, and amplify your positive societal impact efforts.

Clear communication is all about effectively reaching your audience. Have you ever noticed that when people share highly stylized business communications, the crowds eyes seem to glaze over? You are not imagining it! Yet, many companies use this approach. What I have learned with time is that you are only as good at communicating as the audience who takes it in. So, try an approach that resonates- you can tell the same story authentically and honestly from your personal experience and you instantly see a greater more thoughtful way of communicating that engages your audience and often promotes further discourse. This is what it is about, connecting on a deeper level with those who share your commitment to making a difference.

Be able to adapt not only to new issues but also to new ways of approaching your audience. Be ready to learn from your environment. Be curious, but also make sure not to lose your identity and to maintain your professional and ethical integrity while adapting.